Rita Marie Hackett

Rita M. Hackett was born in Brooklyn on June 11th, 1963 to Jerry and Eileen Cunningham. They moved to their home in Nesconset, Long Island when Rita was six months old. Growing up in a large family with three sisters and three brothers, she learned about responsibility and caring for others. Following in the footsteps of her older sisters, Rita attended St. Joseph’s Elementary School in Lake Ronkonkoma and the Academy of St. Joseph High School in Brentwood. With a passion for working with children, she earned a Bachelor of Art in Elementary Education at Dowling College, graduating in 1985. After her father, Jerry, passed away in 1987, Rita stepped into a supportive role, watching over her youngest sister and brother. She began her teaching career at St. John of God in C.I., earning an MS Ed. at Stony Brook University, after she married in 1989. When Rita had her first child, Hugh, in 1991, she became a full time stay at home mom. Her son, Christopher, was born three years later, in 1994. Rita devoted her life to raising her sons and creating a beautiful and loving home for her family, while maintaining close relationships with her mom, her in-laws Regina and Crane and all six of her siblings, Patricia, Mary Ellen, Kathleen, Gerard, Chris, and Thomas.  She had a special bond with each of her nieces and nephews, Elizabeth, Breandan, Jack, and James Cunningham, Daniel and Joan Seaman, Patrick, Sean, Isabelle, and Aiden Panella, Nathaniel Cunningham, and Caitlin and Jack Hackett, her brothers-in-law Mike Seaman and Patrick Panella, John and Chris Hackett, sisters-in-law Kim Cunningham and Elizabeth and Maureen Hackett, as well as all of her cousins, aunts and uncles on both sides. She and husband Hugh moved to Naples, Florida in July of 2003.  She loved the Florida sunshine and her community. Ten years later, Rita and the boys moved back to Long Island to live closer to family.  After purchasing a home in Rocky Point in 2014, Rita became a valued substitute teacher at Our Lady of Wisdom in Port Jefferson and a volunteer at Birthright.  She enjoyed spending time decorating her home, exploring new places with her children, watching Hallmark movies, and giving back to others. Throughout her life, Rita’s strong Catholic faith helped her face life’s challenges fearlessly, bringing her closer to God. Throughout the last three years, she continued to love life and embrace each day with courage and fortitude as she battled cancer. She was and always will be, the kindest, most gentle and dedicated daughter, sister, mom and niece that anyone could ever imagine.  Her family was privileged to have her in their lives and she will always be loved by them and everyone who knew her more than words can say.